I had debated posting about this in my own mind for a few days, but I decided that because life is about both the ups and downs, and I decided that sharing a down time in our life is important too.
Last week we unexpectedly and tragically lost a family member. My Aunt Katie, my mom's sister, suddenly collapsed after a Christmas party with her friends. And after a few days of the best medical care possible, she never recovered.
It feels like I have had something stolen from me that I can't find or understand why it is gone. Katie was 49 years old and there was no indication of any serious health issues. She was (and still is) a mainstay of our family. She had a huge wonderful personality and was just about the most fun person you could ever be around. Katie wasn't just the life of the party, she was THE party and was someone who was everyone's friend. She had so many friends- probably around 500,000. I'm not even kidding... when she was in the hospital there were people flying in from around the world to see her.
She lived life to the fullest, harder than anyone I know. She managed major hotel operations in Washington D.C. and hung out with celebrities on a regular basis. She owned more shoes and purses than I could ever dream of and would honestly do anything for you.
Some families have Aunt's that are known, but distant. Katie was never distant. My memories of her during my childhood are numerous and she would play with me and my brother and sister on the floor for hours...just wrestling, tickling and loving on us. As we grew up a little she became the "cool aunt" who would let us do things that our mom and dad wouldn't...like give us candy in the morning or stay up really late. I don't think I'll ever forget the time we visited and she was dog sitting a little white fluffy dog named Bo. She let my sister have Bo sleep in bed with her!!!! Dogs in beds were NOT allowed in our house, and we thought her rules were the best ever. MaryKate (now just about age 20) still talks about sharing her blankie with Bo!
When an unexplainable tragedy happens to a family, the mystery and "whys?" seem to cut extra deep. I'm sad that Katie didn't get to have more years in her world-traveling, exciting life, but she is definitely in a much better place than we are right now. God was so merciful with the fact that there was no suffering, no pain. If you are going to leave earth, it might as well be after a fantastic party with all your friends right???
Now, we are the one's left to live without her. I am grieving over the loss of her in our lives, and that she won't ever tickle and love our children. My grandparents are working through the loss of a child in their 70's and my parents and other Aunts and Uncles are trying to get through what it means to lose a sister. I can't yet comprehend what our family is like without one of our mainstay members. I am reassured that over time, we will learn life without Katie, though it will never be the same and we will always miss her.
The funeral mass will be this coming Saturday and we will travel to Annapolis to be with everyone and remember Katie. Please pray that we will know God's love and grace as we walk through this sad time.
December 29, 2008
December 19, 2008
I ALMOST FORGOT!!!
This sunday night at 9pm, on the National Geographic Channel there is a special documentary on Identical Twins. It's all about how they develop and their genetic similarities...
It shows identicals in the womb and talks all about the specialness that they are!
If you get the channel on your tv, please watch with me!
It shows identicals in the womb and talks all about the specialness that they are!
If you get the channel on your tv, please watch with me!
Baby Preparation
You may be wondering how the little identical one's are doing...
They are great, about the size of a largish potato and look something like this at the age of 17 weeks:
(Note: This is not our actual baby even though in some wierd way I think it looks a little like Dan! ...sorry honey...)
I have started to feel more moving around which is really neat. Dan thinks he can feel it too now!
We decided to wait until after Christmas to get Operation: Twinsanity in full gear, but we did receive a FANTASTIC Christmas gift from Leslie and Erik:
It's called the Graco Quattro Tour Dual Stroller! It's one heck of an awesome stroller. It's huge, obviously, and it accepts two infant carries which snap in on top of the seats you see in the picture. So, when the babies outgrow their carriers (after 20ish lbs) they then just sit in the seats.
We LOVE it.... thanks NANA (aka Mom Leslie)
They are great, about the size of a largish potato and look something like this at the age of 17 weeks:
(Note: This is not our actual baby even though in some wierd way I think it looks a little like Dan! ...sorry honey...)
I have started to feel more moving around which is really neat. Dan thinks he can feel it too now!
We decided to wait until after Christmas to get Operation: Twinsanity in full gear, but we did receive a FANTASTIC Christmas gift from Leslie and Erik:
It's called the Graco Quattro Tour Dual Stroller! It's one heck of an awesome stroller. It's huge, obviously, and it accepts two infant carries which snap in on top of the seats you see in the picture. So, when the babies outgrow their carriers (after 20ish lbs) they then just sit in the seats.
We LOVE it.... thanks NANA (aka Mom Leslie)
It's been too long...
We apologize for not posting since before thanksgiving... yikes!
All is well in the land of Mazzio Mania. We're getting ready for Christmas. It just amazes me how fast time flies in between Turkey day and baby Jesus' birthday.
Dan and I have had so much fun thinking ahead to all of our new family traditions that we are beginning to incorporate. To name a few we buy a new family game every year, and a book about Christmas. My mom taught me to keep a "Christmas Journal" so for the last few years I have kept this candy cane striped spiral bound notebook with lists of gifts that I bought everyone and I also save a page every year to write myself notes as I reflect on the good and not-so-good of the season. I was looking in it and last year I wrote these 2 notes to myself:
1. Next year you will not run around like crazy trying to get baking done. You will make some cookies in advance, and other's will simply not be baked if not finished by Christmas eve. This is because as you were rushing, you sliced your finger wide open and had to go to the ER at 11pm the day before Christmas eve!
HA!
2. In years to come, you should begin to break the family in to having Christmas eve with one side and Christmas Day with the other... It is no fun to not even get to open your own presents because you are too busy criss-crossing Norfolk ALL DAY LONG.
DOUBLE HA!
So, we actually followed our own advice and made a plan. We will be spending Christmas Eve with the Mazzio clan and having dinner at our house and Christmas Day will be spent with the Squicciarini's.
All is well in the land of Mazzio Mania. We're getting ready for Christmas. It just amazes me how fast time flies in between Turkey day and baby Jesus' birthday.
Dan and I have had so much fun thinking ahead to all of our new family traditions that we are beginning to incorporate. To name a few we buy a new family game every year, and a book about Christmas. My mom taught me to keep a "Christmas Journal" so for the last few years I have kept this candy cane striped spiral bound notebook with lists of gifts that I bought everyone and I also save a page every year to write myself notes as I reflect on the good and not-so-good of the season. I was looking in it and last year I wrote these 2 notes to myself:
1. Next year you will not run around like crazy trying to get baking done. You will make some cookies in advance, and other's will simply not be baked if not finished by Christmas eve. This is because as you were rushing, you sliced your finger wide open and had to go to the ER at 11pm the day before Christmas eve!
HA!
2. In years to come, you should begin to break the family in to having Christmas eve with one side and Christmas Day with the other... It is no fun to not even get to open your own presents because you are too busy criss-crossing Norfolk ALL DAY LONG.
DOUBLE HA!
So, we actually followed our own advice and made a plan. We will be spending Christmas Eve with the Mazzio clan and having dinner at our house and Christmas Day will be spent with the Squicciarini's.
November 25, 2008
Major Update!!!
Hi everyone!
We went to the doctor on Monday for the first of our "formal" ultrasounds. They examined our babies for almost two hours, which means we got the privilege of watching them for almost two hours! It was lots of fun.
We learned so much about them, I have been so excited to share it with you. First, we got an additional surprise of finding out that we will be having IDENTICAL twins! Wow! We originally thought that they were fraternal due to their spacing and some other stuff, but it turns out that they are actually sharing the placenta which automatically makes them identical. The ultrasound tech described it to us by saying that they live in the same house in different rooms. Living in the same house and the same room would be very dangerous so, we're very glad they are separated by their own amniotic sacs. Having identical twins means two boys or two girls... we couldn't tell their gender yet, but when I go back in two weeks we should be able to see the boy/girl parts.
We had the screening called nuchal translucency which looks for an increased risk of defects like Down Syndrome. All's well... neither are showing any signs of abnormalities. YAY!
They are both exactly 2.5 inches long, and have equally strong heartbeats. It was amazing to see them.
Below is a picture of both little ones, if you look closely you will see one babies head is up (labeled H) and the other's head is facing down. The "B" label means body.
My favorite part of the ultrasound was when I saw one of our little ones yawn! The other one put up its hand to us (I think he/she was saying HI MOM!) and we could so clearly see the tiny fingers. They were both jumping around and turning. At the start of the appointment they were head to butt position, but during it they moved to head to head. Seeing their tiny legs kick was really amazing. I am so grateful to live in a generation that has this technology. I saw them in color (the little hearts were beating bright red) and we also got some 3-d pictures which showed they fit together like puzzle pieces.
All in all it was such good news and a relief. I was starting to fall prey to the
"paranoid mommy" brain and was feeling worried that one twin wasn't ok, or maybe they were sick or something completely irrational like that. I was anxiously waiting to just see that they were both just fine- and they are.
On another note, I had some bloodwork done and it showed that I have a blood disorder (it runs in my family, called Protein C deficiency) that creates too much clotting. Therefore, during pregnancy I am at risk for blood clots and strokes. This does not affect the babies, just me. So, its a simple fix- I have to get daily injections of a drug called Lovenox which is a blood thinner. So far, Dan has had the pleasure of administering the shots, my brain will not let me carry out the shot. I get close, right about to do it and then...I just can't. I am very lucky to have a husband willing to live out the doctor role every day.
So, everything is going great in the world of Mazzio Mania. I hope everyone has a great thanksgiving!
We went to the doctor on Monday for the first of our "formal" ultrasounds. They examined our babies for almost two hours, which means we got the privilege of watching them for almost two hours! It was lots of fun.
We learned so much about them, I have been so excited to share it with you. First, we got an additional surprise of finding out that we will be having IDENTICAL twins! Wow! We originally thought that they were fraternal due to their spacing and some other stuff, but it turns out that they are actually sharing the placenta which automatically makes them identical. The ultrasound tech described it to us by saying that they live in the same house in different rooms. Living in the same house and the same room would be very dangerous so, we're very glad they are separated by their own amniotic sacs. Having identical twins means two boys or two girls... we couldn't tell their gender yet, but when I go back in two weeks we should be able to see the boy/girl parts.
We had the screening called nuchal translucency which looks for an increased risk of defects like Down Syndrome. All's well... neither are showing any signs of abnormalities. YAY!
They are both exactly 2.5 inches long, and have equally strong heartbeats. It was amazing to see them.
Below is a picture of both little ones, if you look closely you will see one babies head is up (labeled H) and the other's head is facing down. The "B" label means body.
My favorite part of the ultrasound was when I saw one of our little ones yawn! The other one put up its hand to us (I think he/she was saying HI MOM!) and we could so clearly see the tiny fingers. They were both jumping around and turning. At the start of the appointment they were head to butt position, but during it they moved to head to head. Seeing their tiny legs kick was really amazing. I am so grateful to live in a generation that has this technology. I saw them in color (the little hearts were beating bright red) and we also got some 3-d pictures which showed they fit together like puzzle pieces.
All in all it was such good news and a relief. I was starting to fall prey to the
"paranoid mommy" brain and was feeling worried that one twin wasn't ok, or maybe they were sick or something completely irrational like that. I was anxiously waiting to just see that they were both just fine- and they are.
On another note, I had some bloodwork done and it showed that I have a blood disorder (it runs in my family, called Protein C deficiency) that creates too much clotting. Therefore, during pregnancy I am at risk for blood clots and strokes. This does not affect the babies, just me. So, its a simple fix- I have to get daily injections of a drug called Lovenox which is a blood thinner. So far, Dan has had the pleasure of administering the shots, my brain will not let me carry out the shot. I get close, right about to do it and then...I just can't. I am very lucky to have a husband willing to live out the doctor role every day.
So, everything is going great in the world of Mazzio Mania. I hope everyone has a great thanksgiving!
November 21, 2008
Two are better than One
"Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help lift him up."
Ecclesiastes 4:9
I am so very excited to have the privilege of raising twins! As Dan and I have been processing through our thoughts about this upcoming adventure we both agree that it is truly a special bond that these children will always have with their twin. What a blessing to us and for each other!
p.s. check back for new ultrasound pictures on Monday!!!!!!
Ecclesiastes 4:9
I am so very excited to have the privilege of raising twins! As Dan and I have been processing through our thoughts about this upcoming adventure we both agree that it is truly a special bond that these children will always have with their twin. What a blessing to us and for each other!
p.s. check back for new ultrasound pictures on Monday!!!!!!
November 13, 2008
Limes!
I have two limes!
This week they have grown to the size of limes! Amazing isn't it?
They have fully formed arms, legs and even ears this week. The next few weeks are huge growth periods. I'm just about out of the 1st trimester which is a major milestone. I'm officially in maternity clothes, even though it's still not completely obvious to others, I definitely don't fit into regular clothes anymore.
The sickness has continued, but has reduced which gives me hope that one day I'll enjoy food again.
EXAMPLE: (on the phone to my mom)
Mom: Hi, what are you doing?
Me: Hi, Oh I'm sitting here... just choking down a fruit cup
Mom: wow, never thought I'd hear that out of the mouth of a Squicciarini... I didn't think it was genetically possible to not like food.
Me: Yeah, I know.... and I'm pissed about it too!
I am still having trouble eating but managing to get a little better as the days pass. Dan is getting excited and today he was talking to "the kids" for the first time! It was funny!
Imagine: Dan, standing a full 9 inches taller than me looking down at the belly, hands cupped around his mouth directing his voice (like that helps?!?!?) and yelling "HEY! Kids! Whatcha doing? I heard you are the size of a lime!" Pretty darn funny.
This brings me to a very funny thought: Dan is an only child and upcoming babyhood will be FULL of so many surprises for him! AKA: He can't even imagine what's coming his way in 6 months.
But honestly, neither can I :)
It's the ultimate choose-your-own-adventure book.
This week they have grown to the size of limes! Amazing isn't it?
They have fully formed arms, legs and even ears this week. The next few weeks are huge growth periods. I'm just about out of the 1st trimester which is a major milestone. I'm officially in maternity clothes, even though it's still not completely obvious to others, I definitely don't fit into regular clothes anymore.
The sickness has continued, but has reduced which gives me hope that one day I'll enjoy food again.
EXAMPLE: (on the phone to my mom)
Mom: Hi, what are you doing?
Me: Hi, Oh I'm sitting here... just choking down a fruit cup
Mom: wow, never thought I'd hear that out of the mouth of a Squicciarini... I didn't think it was genetically possible to not like food.
Me: Yeah, I know.... and I'm pissed about it too!
I am still having trouble eating but managing to get a little better as the days pass. Dan is getting excited and today he was talking to "the kids" for the first time! It was funny!
Imagine: Dan, standing a full 9 inches taller than me looking down at the belly, hands cupped around his mouth directing his voice (like that helps?!?!?) and yelling "HEY! Kids! Whatcha doing? I heard you are the size of a lime!" Pretty darn funny.
This brings me to a very funny thought: Dan is an only child and upcoming babyhood will be FULL of so many surprises for him! AKA: He can't even imagine what's coming his way in 6 months.
But honestly, neither can I :)
It's the ultimate choose-your-own-adventure book.
November 6, 2008
Update
Apparently when you are having twins, the pregnancy hormones are through the roof. I can definitely attest to this because I have been sick sick sick.
I can barely tolerate any kind of food. I've lost a bunch of weight (its normal) and poor Dan hasn't eaten any real food in weeks. I force myself to eat things and the thought of the next meal practically leaves me in tears. yuck. Whats worse is that I decide on something I think I can eat, Dan retrieves it and then I change my mind or it fails. What a pain!
So here is what I currently live off of:
and yesterday I discovered that the babies also really like:
AND, If you are in the area, stop by the house and grab Dan for some real food and a break from this high maintenance pregnant-with-twins woman.
I can barely tolerate any kind of food. I've lost a bunch of weight (its normal) and poor Dan hasn't eaten any real food in weeks. I force myself to eat things and the thought of the next meal practically leaves me in tears. yuck. Whats worse is that I decide on something I think I can eat, Dan retrieves it and then I change my mind or it fails. What a pain!
So here is what I currently live off of:
and yesterday I discovered that the babies also really like:
AND, If you are in the area, stop by the house and grab Dan for some real food and a break from this high maintenance pregnant-with-twins woman.
November 3, 2008
Processing
It's only been 5 days since we found out that we will become a family of four in a few months from now. As you can imagine, the emotions are many and varied. I guess the first thing we thought about was "how did this happen!!!??!!" Besides the obvious answer :) we discovered that my grandfather's brother had a twin who died in early childhood. There are also some twins in Dan's family in far away generations. Our doctor told us that fraternal twins are more genetically linked than identical. So, maybe we do have some recessive trait somewhere that decided to show up for us. Special, huh?
Regardless of how it happened, they are here to stay! Some days I feel like its the scariest thing that I could ever imagine. Other days it seems so exciting I wonder if its too good to be true.
We thought through some pros and cons of this situation:
CON
1. The pregnancy process is pretty rough on me and it stinks to have to feel sick all day. My hormones are triple that of a normal pregnancy= barfy all day long...
2. I am going to be so huge at the end of the pregnancy that I will be wearing tablecloths with rope belts because thats all that will fit.
3. They will likely arrive early because I will "run out of womb" ha!
4.When they arrive we will need double everything. For example, diapers will be a hot commodity around our house. We estimate needing 800 diapers per month for the first few months. And two college tuitions. And two.....
PRO
1. We thought maybe having 3-4 kids would be ideal. This pregnancy could knock out at least 50% of that goal at one time
2. Twins are kinda cool, and people love twins.
3. Carrying two babies at one will surely get my arm muscles in tip top shape.
4. They do everything on the same schedule...which is easier than 3 kids on 3 schedules. Maybe we'll only have 3 kids on 2 schedules.
5. Dressing twins alike is fun.
6. Twins have a special relationship that the rest of us singleton's don't have.
7. Mother's of twins say that they become professional time managers and seriously organized.
8. Dan reminds me that we're 2 tenths of the way to a basketball team.
9. Other mothers of twins say that its so special to see them so bonding, for example most twins like to hold hands while they are being nursed!!! so sweet!!!!
10. MORE BABIES FOR US ALL TO LOVE
OK so there we go. That proves the point. 10 pros to 4 cons. It's clearly a good thing. :)
Regardless of how it happened, they are here to stay! Some days I feel like its the scariest thing that I could ever imagine. Other days it seems so exciting I wonder if its too good to be true.
We thought through some pros and cons of this situation:
CON
1. The pregnancy process is pretty rough on me and it stinks to have to feel sick all day. My hormones are triple that of a normal pregnancy= barfy all day long...
2. I am going to be so huge at the end of the pregnancy that I will be wearing tablecloths with rope belts because thats all that will fit.
3. They will likely arrive early because I will "run out of womb" ha!
4.When they arrive we will need double everything. For example, diapers will be a hot commodity around our house. We estimate needing 800 diapers per month for the first few months. And two college tuitions. And two.....
PRO
1. We thought maybe having 3-4 kids would be ideal. This pregnancy could knock out at least 50% of that goal at one time
2. Twins are kinda cool, and people love twins.
3. Carrying two babies at one will surely get my arm muscles in tip top shape.
4. They do everything on the same schedule...which is easier than 3 kids on 3 schedules. Maybe we'll only have 3 kids on 2 schedules.
5. Dressing twins alike is fun.
6. Twins have a special relationship that the rest of us singleton's don't have.
7. Mother's of twins say that they become professional time managers and seriously organized.
8. Dan reminds me that we're 2 tenths of the way to a basketball team.
9. Other mothers of twins say that its so special to see them so bonding, for example most twins like to hold hands while they are being nursed!!! so sweet!!!!
10. MORE BABIES FOR US ALL TO LOVE
OK so there we go. That proves the point. 10 pros to 4 cons. It's clearly a good thing. :)
November 2, 2008
New Life, New Blog
Dear friends,
Our life is facing some pretty AMAZING changes. We want to share the joy with all of you, whether near or far. Therefore, we're getting serious about this blog. It will be updated regularly and you won't be dissapointed. :)
Without further ado...
We would like to officially announce that we're pregnant! It was a complete surprise! We saw the doctor for the first OB appointment last week and were given this:
This is the sonogram of our babies. Yes, you read that correctly. babies. twins.
Its pretty obvious that there is two in there. The one baby on the left has a great profile picture. If you look closely you can see the head and nose profiled at the top. The black space is the tiny brain forming. The 2nd baby was not at the same angle so he/she is just wiggling in the background. The good news is that they are both healthy with strong heartbeats. Hopefully happy too, but the technology can't exactly tell us that quite yet. One baby is 8mm and the other is 8.2 mm. They each have their own little rooms, so they are not sharing the same space. We're told that this arrangement is ideal and that we probably have fraternal twins.
Over the past few days Dan and I have been just processing the craziest surprise of our lives and we have come up with a new word:
TWINSANITY
kinda like insanity, but with twins.
We have also decided that since this is such a unique opportunity we wanted all the people we know and love to be able to walk this journey with us. We know it won't always be easy, but it will always be filled with love, joy and excitement. We're genuinely excited to chronicle this experience. Please feel free to leave comments and interact with us.
Love,
Dan, Lisa, baby A and baby B, Sydney and Raleigh
Our life is facing some pretty AMAZING changes. We want to share the joy with all of you, whether near or far. Therefore, we're getting serious about this blog. It will be updated regularly and you won't be dissapointed. :)
Without further ado...
We would like to officially announce that we're pregnant! It was a complete surprise! We saw the doctor for the first OB appointment last week and were given this:
This is the sonogram of our babies. Yes, you read that correctly. babies. twins.
Its pretty obvious that there is two in there. The one baby on the left has a great profile picture. If you look closely you can see the head and nose profiled at the top. The black space is the tiny brain forming. The 2nd baby was not at the same angle so he/she is just wiggling in the background. The good news is that they are both healthy with strong heartbeats. Hopefully happy too, but the technology can't exactly tell us that quite yet. One baby is 8mm and the other is 8.2 mm. They each have their own little rooms, so they are not sharing the same space. We're told that this arrangement is ideal and that we probably have fraternal twins.
Over the past few days Dan and I have been just processing the craziest surprise of our lives and we have come up with a new word:
TWINSANITY
kinda like insanity, but with twins.
We have also decided that since this is such a unique opportunity we wanted all the people we know and love to be able to walk this journey with us. We know it won't always be easy, but it will always be filled with love, joy and excitement. We're genuinely excited to chronicle this experience. Please feel free to leave comments and interact with us.
Love,
Dan, Lisa, baby A and baby B, Sydney and Raleigh
September 24, 2008
mazzio's go rafting
so We're getting ready to go on a little road trip this weekend to West Virginia!
We're heading out to do some extreme white water rafting. It's gonna be a blast. We will be doing this with our parents (Frank and Sharon) and their best friends. So we've been busy this week getting ourselves ready to go. Preparations include:
1. packing for semi-camping (we have little mini cottages in the woods with a bed but no kitchen)
2. preparing meals/shopping/baking in advance (I'm making all day beef stew and other yummy camping food)
3. dusting off the sleeping bags and lanterns
4. psyching ourselves up for the 53 degree water that we are PAYING MONEY to do battle with
We're really excited!!!
If you stop to think about us in the next few days, picture this:
Check back for pics next week!
....hope everyone is well... :)
We're heading out to do some extreme white water rafting. It's gonna be a blast. We will be doing this with our parents (Frank and Sharon) and their best friends. So we've been busy this week getting ourselves ready to go. Preparations include:
1. packing for semi-camping (we have little mini cottages in the woods with a bed but no kitchen)
2. preparing meals/shopping/baking in advance (I'm making all day beef stew and other yummy camping food)
3. dusting off the sleeping bags and lanterns
4. psyching ourselves up for the 53 degree water that we are PAYING MONEY to do battle with
We're really excited!!!
If you stop to think about us in the next few days, picture this:
Check back for pics next week!
....hope everyone is well... :)
September 13, 2008
a thought
"Marriage has less beauty and more safety than a single life. It is full of sorrows and full of joys. It lies under more burden but it is supported by all the strengths of love and those burdens are delightful."
September 8, 2008
Hello again
Well...
it's been awhile since the last post. Lots has happened in our life, and it's been quite an experience, so I think that we will just pick up where we left off last..
Lisa: current status, EVMS slave...just kidding... but I'm working really hard. Putting in lots of hours and learning so much. I spend four days a week working on the inpatient rehabilitation floor at Norfolk General. I provide mental health care for patients that are recovering from pretty significant issues like car accidents, strokes, gun shot wounds, burn victims, parapelegia etc... It's intense and definitely the hardest thing I've ever done. I work with the patients, their families and significant others getting them rehabbed and ready to go home- feeling better, both body and mind. It's been interesting acclimating to the hospital environment. Dealing with attending physicians is tricky business. So, I wear my official white doctor coat, choose my battles and smile a lot hoping they trust what I'm telling them. The hospital staff has been great, but you would be surprised at how much psychology still has stigma attached (its 2008 people!!!). The other day of the week I see patients in your typical outpatient clinic. My internship cohort is lots of fun and the 6 of us get along great. It's fun to meet new people, but I sure do miss my Regent crew.
Dan: busy doing Dan things :)
Sydney: spends all day avoiding Raleigh, looking for tennis balls and watching out the dormer window on the 3rd floor for cars and cats, and takes lots of naps.
Raleigh: wakes up READY TO GO every single day. Happiest dog I know, no matter whats happening in the world this pup's tail is waggin. Cruises the house looking for things she shouldn't pick up and brings them to us. Loves to eat dirt and catch flies in the window.
it's been awhile since the last post. Lots has happened in our life, and it's been quite an experience, so I think that we will just pick up where we left off last..
Lisa: current status, EVMS slave...just kidding... but I'm working really hard. Putting in lots of hours and learning so much. I spend four days a week working on the inpatient rehabilitation floor at Norfolk General. I provide mental health care for patients that are recovering from pretty significant issues like car accidents, strokes, gun shot wounds, burn victims, parapelegia etc... It's intense and definitely the hardest thing I've ever done. I work with the patients, their families and significant others getting them rehabbed and ready to go home- feeling better, both body and mind. It's been interesting acclimating to the hospital environment. Dealing with attending physicians is tricky business. So, I wear my official white doctor coat, choose my battles and smile a lot hoping they trust what I'm telling them. The hospital staff has been great, but you would be surprised at how much psychology still has stigma attached (its 2008 people!!!). The other day of the week I see patients in your typical outpatient clinic. My internship cohort is lots of fun and the 6 of us get along great. It's fun to meet new people, but I sure do miss my Regent crew.
Dan: busy doing Dan things :)
Sydney: spends all day avoiding Raleigh, looking for tennis balls and watching out the dormer window on the 3rd floor for cars and cats, and takes lots of naps.
Raleigh: wakes up READY TO GO every single day. Happiest dog I know, no matter whats happening in the world this pup's tail is waggin. Cruises the house looking for things she shouldn't pick up and brings them to us. Loves to eat dirt and catch flies in the window.
July 17, 2008
yikes
p.s. we're having a security system installed right now, and Dan walked in the door. The ADT guy says to Dan, "hey! I know you!" They go through a few places of where they may have crossed paths:
1. Great Bridge High?...nope
2. Longwood?....nope
3. Norfolk Yacht?...nope
4. Univ of Richmond?...nope
5. Chesapeake court system???? ....YEP!!!!
Yes what you are dreading right now is correct, Dan prosecuted him.
A criminal is installing a security system into the home of someone he may have some feelings of revenge....
I think its time to change the security code :)
God help us.
1. Great Bridge High?...nope
2. Longwood?....nope
3. Norfolk Yacht?...nope
4. Univ of Richmond?...nope
5. Chesapeake court system???? ....YEP!!!!
Yes what you are dreading right now is correct, Dan prosecuted him.
A criminal is installing a security system into the home of someone he may have some feelings of revenge....
I think its time to change the security code :)
God help us.
...and we're back
Hey friends,
Sorry for the MIA status...
Life has been unnaturally hectic, therefore we have not done a good job keeping up with the blog.
We've had some pretty crazy transitions over the last 2 weeks, so I'll try to get caught up over the next few days.
First, we moved into our new house. It's absolutely fabulous, and we love everything about it. I will make a whole post on the house later...pictures included. The old house is still for sale, do you know anyone who might want to buy it???
Secondly, I started working. I love it, and Dan and I are learning how to live and run our household with me having a different schedule. It's really challenging and I encounter all sorts of new things every day. Working in a purely medical setting is so fast paced, my days just fly by.
Check back soon...I'll have more posts up soon
Sorry for the MIA status...
Life has been unnaturally hectic, therefore we have not done a good job keeping up with the blog.
We've had some pretty crazy transitions over the last 2 weeks, so I'll try to get caught up over the next few days.
First, we moved into our new house. It's absolutely fabulous, and we love everything about it. I will make a whole post on the house later...pictures included. The old house is still for sale, do you know anyone who might want to buy it???
Secondly, I started working. I love it, and Dan and I are learning how to live and run our household with me having a different schedule. It's really challenging and I encounter all sorts of new things every day. Working in a purely medical setting is so fast paced, my days just fly by.
Check back soon...I'll have more posts up soon
June 23, 2008
Heat Wave
During the crazy heat wave that we were so lucky to experience during early June, we spent a lot of time in the water.
Lisa and nephew Joey
Sydney and Raleigh in the pool on the deck.
yummmm muddy dog water!
Lisa and nephew Joey
Sydney and Raleigh in the pool on the deck.
yummmm muddy dog water!
Art Camp!
While Dan was busy all week in Columbia SC at the prosecutor bootcamp conference, I volunteered with church and taught art camp for inner city kids in Norfolk.
I taught a class called art appreciation where I used major works of art and artists to show techniques and styles. Then we did our own projects based off what we learned. I saw about 60 kids everyday and worked with some fabulous ladies as counselors for these awesome kids. Our five projects were: mosaics, abstract art, sculpture, still life and pointalism.
Here are some fun pics of the kids from throughout the week!
I taught a class called art appreciation where I used major works of art and artists to show techniques and styles. Then we did our own projects based off what we learned. I saw about 60 kids everyday and worked with some fabulous ladies as counselors for these awesome kids. Our five projects were: mosaics, abstract art, sculpture, still life and pointalism.
Here are some fun pics of the kids from throughout the week!
June 12, 2008
Lots of transition...
Well everyone, its an important day today. I took my last final of the semester. Not only is it my last final of the semester, its the last final exam of my program. Yep- I'm done! I have officially completed all my course work. whew....its been a long 20 straight years in school....
What now? I have to complete my internship year and finish my dissertation. I start in the world of full time work in two weeks. Just a few days after we move into our new house..fun huh? So, I'll be working at EVMS, Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, and Eastern State Hospital (in Williamsburg). My first 6 months will be at Norfolk General...literally 1.2 miles from home. Definitely convenient. The next six months will be spent at Eastern State. Finally, on June 30, 2009 I will be Dr. Lisa Mazzio! for years it felt like it would never be over and all of a sudden, its done.
I had the amazing blessing of being able to stay here in Norfolk with Dan, but most everyone else I know is moving. One of our favorites- Cynthia and Jerry Leon are headed to New York City this afternoon. I'm not sure what life will be like without them here.... its definitely a loss for Dan and I. But, I'm pretty sure that our friendship will endure their tour of NYC and maybe even bring them back here to us (pllllease?). Other fav's get to stay right here in Norfolk with us, which (selfishly) we're pretty darn excited about (yay for Butzen! Butzen! Butzen!)
Others are headed to Hawaii, Utah, Tennessee, New Jersey, Richmond, Pennsylvania, New York, Georgia, Alabama, Maryland, California, ....all over the place. I hope that everyone has smooth moving, traveling and family transitioning. We're so glad to have been a part of the fabulous PsyD cohort and will always treasure the friendships. We wish good luck and blessings to everyone!
And to those who read this and will be back for visiting, dissertation defense, graduation... know there is always a bed and some Squicciarini meatballs available!!!
What now? I have to complete my internship year and finish my dissertation. I start in the world of full time work in two weeks. Just a few days after we move into our new house..fun huh? So, I'll be working at EVMS, Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, and Eastern State Hospital (in Williamsburg). My first 6 months will be at Norfolk General...literally 1.2 miles from home. Definitely convenient. The next six months will be spent at Eastern State. Finally, on June 30, 2009 I will be Dr. Lisa Mazzio! for years it felt like it would never be over and all of a sudden, its done.
I had the amazing blessing of being able to stay here in Norfolk with Dan, but most everyone else I know is moving. One of our favorites- Cynthia and Jerry Leon are headed to New York City this afternoon. I'm not sure what life will be like without them here.... its definitely a loss for Dan and I. But, I'm pretty sure that our friendship will endure their tour of NYC and maybe even bring them back here to us (pllllease?). Other fav's get to stay right here in Norfolk with us, which (selfishly) we're pretty darn excited about (yay for Butzen! Butzen! Butzen!)
Others are headed to Hawaii, Utah, Tennessee, New Jersey, Richmond, Pennsylvania, New York, Georgia, Alabama, Maryland, California, ....all over the place. I hope that everyone has smooth moving, traveling and family transitioning. We're so glad to have been a part of the fabulous PsyD cohort and will always treasure the friendships. We wish good luck and blessings to everyone!
And to those who read this and will be back for visiting, dissertation defense, graduation... know there is always a bed and some Squicciarini meatballs available!!!
June 8, 2008
We're moving!
Some of you know that we have bought a new house, but I wanted to post about it to officially announce the news.
We bought a beautiful house in Larchmont (Norfolk) that will be perfect for us as we grow and start having some babies :) It is only about 2 miles from where we live now, and is on a great street full of fun families and kids. We will be moving in sometime during the last week in June. We can't wait! I'll get some pictures soon.
As for our old house, it's for sale and we have been showing it to lots of people...no offers yet though. Here is the link to the page in case maybe you know someone who is looking to buy a super cute little house in Norfolk! Feel free to share it with anyone...
http://www.nancychandler.com/propertydetails.aspx?propertyID=0823504&type=RES&pagenum=0&itemstoshow=10
And the heat index here yesterday was 103 degrees, it actually feels unsafe to be outside. global warming?
We bought a beautiful house in Larchmont (Norfolk) that will be perfect for us as we grow and start having some babies :) It is only about 2 miles from where we live now, and is on a great street full of fun families and kids. We will be moving in sometime during the last week in June. We can't wait! I'll get some pictures soon.
As for our old house, it's for sale and we have been showing it to lots of people...no offers yet though. Here is the link to the page in case maybe you know someone who is looking to buy a super cute little house in Norfolk! Feel free to share it with anyone...
http://www.nancychandler.com/propertydetails.aspx?propertyID=0823504&type=RES&pagenum=0&itemstoshow=10
And the heat index here yesterday was 103 degrees, it actually feels unsafe to be outside. global warming?
June 5, 2008
Welcome to our blog
I've resisted creating a blog for some time, I thought that maybe no one cared to know what happens in our life in detail, but as I have been blessed by other people sharing their lives, I wanted to join in on the fun. We have so many friends in many different places, maybe this will help us to all stay connected. If you don't have a blog and you are reading this, you should make one of your own :)
So, we will post on the times that will come to be in our life. I wonder what these future posts will hold? Probably a little of everything- joy, heartache, successes, disappointments, adventure, laughter.... I look forward to all of these upcoming times.
Walk on the ocean.... we walk out into the world in faith
Step on the stones....in our constantly changing and sometimes unpredictable life, we get through one step at a time. We move from one solid piece of earth to the next, to the next, on our journey together...
So, we will post on the times that will come to be in our life. I wonder what these future posts will hold? Probably a little of everything- joy, heartache, successes, disappointments, adventure, laughter.... I look forward to all of these upcoming times.
Walk on the ocean.... we walk out into the world in faith
Step on the stones....in our constantly changing and sometimes unpredictable life, we get through one step at a time. We move from one solid piece of earth to the next, to the next, on our journey together...
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